Choosing The Right Insulation For Your Home

(HIT) - Whether building new, remodeling or adding on to an existing home, choosing the right insulation is an important decision that can add value, safety and comfort for many years to come. There are many considerations, including cost, energy efficiency, flammability, sound control properties, moisture conditions, eco-friendliness, access, ease of installation, and more.

Government websites are a good place to begin your research, because they typically offer unbiased information about the general characteristics and insulating qualities of different types of insulation material. Start by looking for tables or charts that can help you determine the recommended "R" value for your area, and for different areas within your home. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory, an independent laboratory funded by the U.S. Government, offers a vast amount of information for homeowners interested in choosing the right insulation products for their homes. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Internet site and the EnergyStar website are also helpful sites.

Homeowners concerned about the environment might also want to visit the Green Home Guide, an online resource with information about a wide range of "green" building products.

Once you’re familiar with the different types of insulation available, you’ll want to visit insulation manufacturer websites to learn about specific products within a product group. The CertainTeed website, for example, offers a wealth of information for homeowners interested in fiber glass insulation products. You’ll find decision-support tools, insulation product literature, installation tips and information about how where to find the company’s products, or how to locate a professional insulation installer in your area.

Numerous insulation resources are available on this site as well. Click the search box near the top of this page to browse articles about different types of insulation.

Choose Insulation Products Suited To Each Project

In addition to the myriad of different insulation materials used to manufacture insulation, isulation products are available in a number of forms for use in different building or remodeling situations.

For small insulation jobs around the home, continuous rolls of insulation allow homeowners to cut insulation to fit small or irregular spaces, wrap pipes and ducts, or reinsulate unusual attic spaces. For larger remodeling jobs, you may want to use pre-cut lengths of insulation known as "batts."

Some insulation products are produced in sheets with a vapor barrier and/or reflective surface attached on one side, and loose fill insulation is available for installation in the enclosed walls of an existing home where other insulation products can’t be installed. There are even insulation products made specifically for insulating heating and cooling ducts in a home.

Professional insulation contractors know that choosing the right insulation products can save a considerable amount of time and money. For example, when pros insulate walls, they often use pre-cut insulation that comes stacked, not rolled, in the bag. They save time because they don't have to unroll and cut it to install it. Some fiber glass insulation batts even come pre-cut in 93-inch lengths—the size of a standard wall cavity. Others will use an air-powered delivery system to blow insulation into attics or wall cavities.

Interior Wall Insulation Cuts Noise Between Rooms

Home has always been a busy place … and a noisy one. What with activities such as the kids' music practice, plus TV, appliances, computer printers, or even animated conversation when friends come over. What to do when mom or dad just want to read the paper or relax? When kids need to concentrate on homework?

The answer is interior-wall insulation. Many homeowners think of insulation in terms of saving energy, but insulation products are also very effective at reducing noise between rooms. When you add on a room, or take on a major remodeling project, think about how each room will be used, and where it is situated in relation to "high-activity" areas in the home. Insulation in interior walls, floors and ceiling can make a world of difference in terms of personal comfort, privacy and concentration. Interior wall insulation can also help by reducing noise from plumbing pipes, heating and cooling units.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center